A “very strong collision” between a train and a freight train with about 350 passengers on board in northern Greece this Wednesday morning has caused at least 32 deaths and 85 injuries, according to the most recent toll.
Several wagons derailed and at least three caught fire following the accident near Tempe, about 380 kilometers north of the Greek capital Athens.
Two trains collided in the north #Greece At least 16 lives were lost and dozens of people were injured.
Rescuers are working to rescue passengers after an accident near Larissa on Tuesday evening.#τεμπη#giftpic.twitter.com/2mQX2Ircwb– ελ σαλταδόρ (@23perry245) March 1, 2023
“Due to the intensity of the conflict between the two convoys, the rescue process is ongoing and is being carried out in very difficult conditions,” said Vasilis Tradyannis, a spokesman for the fire brigade, adding that several units had been alerted. The region and dozens of ambulances are on the job, where military resources have been mobilized.
Rescue teams, with headlamps strapped to their heads, worked through thick clouds of smoke early in the morning, pulling pieces of metal from wagons in an effort to find people trapped in the wreckage.
“It was a very strong conflict. It was a terrible night… It’s hard to describe the scene,” the governor of the Thessaly region told state television. “The front part of the train was destroyed. We are getting cranes and special lifting equipment to remove the wreckage and lift the wagons. Debris is scattered all over the accident site”, added Kostas Agorastos.
The passenger train connecting Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki was carrying about 350 passengers at the time of the collision, train operator Hellenic Rail said. Passengers who sustained minor injuries or escaped unharmed were taken by bus to Thessaloniki, 130 kilometers from the crash site.
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